UPDATE: The Coxes Creek No. 7 Fire grew to approximately 200 acres but is now 100 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

NEBO - The cause of a 30-acre wildfire burning on the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest is under investigation.

The Coxes Creek No. 7 Fire was reported at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18. The fire is burning on U.S. Forest Service land and private property in the Turkey Cove Community off U.S. 226A north of Marion.

Crews are working to establish fire lines around the fire. Once containment lines are established, firefighters plan to conduct burnout operations to remove fuels between the active fire and the fire lines, said Lisa Jennings, recreation forester with the U.S. Forest Service.

Burnout operations are used to slow fire spread and increase containment, although they will initially cause the size of the fire to grow, Jennings said.

The public can expect to see increased smoke in the area from these operations. Smoke may settle in valleys and low-lying areas overnight, especially along U.S. 226A and U.S. 221.

"The fire is backing around a few structures and structure protection is in place on six houses. We don’t anticipate any immediate danger to the structures," Jennings said.

While public and firefighter safety is the priority, she said, U.S. 226A is expected to remain open, but will be used for firefighter traffic. Drivers should drive slowly and use caution, as vehicles and people will be staging along the roadside on the lower end of 226A.

The U.S. Forest Service is managing the wildfire with the North Carolina Forest Service, McDowell County Emergency Management and local volunteer fire departments. Approximately 25 firefighters are responding to the fire.

The cause of a 30-acre wildfire burning in the McDowell County area of Pisgah National Forest is under investigation.(Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Forest Service)

Dozens of historic wildfires burned across forest land in Western North Carolina in the fall of 2016, charring thousands of acres. Arson was found to be the cause of most of the fires.

Anyone with information relating to the fire should report it to the McDowell County Sherriff's Office detective line at 828-652-2237. Conviction for arson on national forests carries a mandatory penalty of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison.